Tuesday, September 27, 2022

 

Memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul, priest

(Job 3:1-3.11-17.20-23; Luke 9:51-56)

Today’s gospel indicates a turning point in the life of Jesus.  St. Luke writes that Jesus decided to go to Jerusalem to complete his mission in the world.  St. Vincent de Paul made a similar decision sometime between 1610 and 1620.

St. Vincent was born into a peasant French family in 1580.  He was able to go to school and pursue a priestly vocation.  He was ordained in 1600.  Showing impressive ability, Vincent sought benefices from the aristocracy.  In 1608 he came under the influence of spiritual masters Pierre de Bérulle and, later, under Francis de Sales.  They showed him how to pursue God, not fame or fortune.  Vincent then dedicated himself to serving the poor.  He co-founded the Daughters and Sisters of Charity and established the Congregation of Missioners, who bear his name to this day.

Catholic converts often make a definitive decision to follow Jesus closely.  Those “born Catholics” must make a similar choice.  Participating in cultural religious activities does not lead to salvation.  Steadfastly following Christ by a life of prayer and charity takes us close to God.

Monday, September27, 2021

 Memorial of St. Vincent de Paul, priest

(Zechariah 8:1-8; Luke 9:46-50)

No name is associated with charity as much as Vincent de Paul.  St. Vincent worked among gallery slaves and other unfortunates.  He also founded organizations that cared for the poor.  This rich legacy of charitable service continues today with the St. Vincent de Paul Society and also with the Daughters of Charity, which Vincent founded.

When Jesus tells his disciples that to serve a lowly child is equivalent to serving him, he uplifts charity.  It is no longer an act of piety but genuine worship of the Lord.  It cannot replace the Eucharist, but it complements and completes it.  The Eucharist feeds people spiritually so that they can act charitably.  At the end of the Eucharist, the priest sends the congregants to do precisely that.  The command, “Go…” always implies to do good for others.

Like Jesus’ disciples, we can waste time worrying who is best.  It is a vain and worthless exercise.  We all do some things well while failing in other pursuits.  We could spend our time profitably in helping those in real need.  These people surround us – perhaps a street person or perhaps a child who needs someone to read to her.

 

Friday, September 27, 2019

Memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul, priest

(Haggai 1:1-8; Luke 9:18-22)

St. Vincent de Paul founded the Daughters of Charity to take care of the poor.  Once some of the dedicated women worried that their mission was taking them away from prayer.  Vincent told them that their concern was not justified.  He said that they were leaving Christ to go to Christ.  Today’s gospel teaches us to also see Jesus in this way.

Peter correctly identifies Jesus as the “the Christ of God.”  But Jesus tells him and the other disciples not to refer to him as such.  He does not want the people to think of him as a king with an army.  Rather he has been anointed (what the word Christ means) to serve the people.  He is a teacher and a healer whom the people voluntarily follow.

Christ does not walk among us today, but this does not mean that he is not present.  One sign of his presence is the poor.  Their simple faith accepting of suffering reminds us of Jesus in the gospel.  By assisting them we will know his love and realize his promise. 

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul, priest

(Job 3:1-3.11-17.20-23; Luke 9:51-56)

Let’s picture life in the year 1600 when St. Vincent de Paul was ordained.  Arguably the most tumultuous century in all history has just ended.  Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel. The Spanish colonized America.  Martin Luther called the Church to reform.  But for all the splendor of these accomplishments Europe lacks holiness.  Vincent would supply this need. 

Vincent spent time as a slave and time in the royal court.  He founded a congregation of men dedicated to seminary teaching.  But he is best known for his dedication to the poor.  He not only helped found a congregation of women to assist the poor, he attended the needs of the poor himself.  Equally remarkable, he created a spirituality of the poor that touched the heart of France.  In the gospel Jesus likewise surprises his disciples with a fresh idea of holiness. 

Going up to Jerusalem, Jesus admonishes James and John for wanting to use power to destroy others.  As God’s anointed one, he shows forbearance to all and expects the same of his followers.  In the city he will allow himself to be crucified.  His purpose is to win universal reconciliation through obedience to the Father’s will.

Working with the poor often demands such submission as Jesus’.  They do not always respond as graciously as we think they should.  But we must not give up the endeavor.  We shall be all right.  As Vincent taught, “Those who are resolved to depend utterly on God shall never be poor.” 

Friday, September 27, 2013

Memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul, priest

(Haggai 1:1-8; Luke 9:18-22)

St. Vincent de Paul founded the Daughters of Charity to take care of the poor.  When some began to worry because their mission would take them away from common prayer, Vincent told them that the concern was not justified.  He said that they were leaving Christ to go to Christ.  In today’s gospel we see Jesus in a similar disguise.

Peter correctly reveals the identity when he calls him “the Christ of God.”  But Jesus tells him and the others not to talk about it because the identity could only be misunderstood.  Jesus is not one to rule with an army and judge with a police force.  Rather he comes as one anointed (the root of the word Christ) to serve the people.  He is a teacher and a leader whom the people voluntarily follow.

Christ does not walk among us to day but that does not mean he is not present.  One of the more acute modes of his presence is the poor.  By assisting them we have an opportunity to know his love and to realize his promise.  

Homilette for Thursday, September 27, 2007

Thursday, XXV Week of Ordinary Time, Commemoration of St. Vincent de Paul

(Haggai 1)

Ten years ago when the Archdiocese of Los Angeles was building its new cathedral, lay Catholics working with the very poor protested the construction. With prophetic boldness they claimed that its cost of $300 million was a needless extravagance. Confident that the Archdiocese was doing what it could to help the poor, Cardinal Mahoney proceeded with the project.

We hear of a similar tug-a-war between spending on social needs and constructing a monument to God in the reading from the prophet Haggai today. In this case, the prophet takes the side of construction. God should receive glory, he intimates, so that everyone may keep priorities in right order. Construction in such a case often has measurable social benefit. In the presence of great institutions, people produce more in order to maintain their environment.

Today we remember one of the greatest organizers on behalf of both the poor and the institutional Church. St. Vincent de Paul would tell the congregation of sisters he founded that it was quite all right for them to leave prayers to attend to the needs of the poor. He insisted that it is just going from Christ to Christ. He also championed the Church in opposition to the Jansenist heresy which limits the efficacy of grace. The Congregation of Missions, the order of priests St. Vincent founded, has also aided the Church by distinguishing itself in seminary education.